Print Page - What was the evolution of the WE 500?

Title: What was the evolution of the WE 500?
Post by: Telephones_etc on February 10, 2019, 03:19:33 PM

Hello fellow CRPF'ers. Haven't posted in a while because I just got over being sick with flu for almost a month now but I'm finally better now :P Anyway, I know about all the changes the WE 302 underwent in its long life; its body, handset, dial, etc all were heavily 'edited'. But I got to thinking, what were the changes made to the 500? I haven't researched it in much depth, so I'm asking all you guys. Between what years was it manufactured? What changes were made to its design after its release? (Pictures are appreciated)

Thanks! :D

Title: Re: What was the evolution of the WE 500?
Post by: Doug Rose on February 10, 2019, 03:34:34 PM

Excellent reading of Dan's great 49 500....Doug

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2394.msg31962#msg31962

Title: Re: What was the evolution of the WE 500?
Post by: Russ Kirk on February 10, 2019, 03:55:55 PM

Paul Fassbinder's excellent reference site does cover some of the evolution of the 500 sets and its components.

http://www.paul-f.com/we500typ.htm

Title: Re: What was the evolution of the WE 500?
Post by: Dan/Panther on February 11, 2019, 12:48:35 PM

Thanks Doug, I clicked on your link and spent an hour going back through the thread. It never gets old.
D/P

Title: Re: What was the evolution of the WE 500?
Post by: Doug Rose on February 11, 2019, 01:01:50 PM

It was an amazing achievement Dan. One I doubt will ever be duplicated....you should be proud....Doug

Title: Re: What was the evolution of the WE 500?
Post by: paul-f on February 11, 2019, 01:21:55 PM

Quote from: Telephones_etc on February 10, 2019, 03:19:33 PM
... what were the changes made to the 500? ... Between what years was it manufactured? What changes were made to its design after its release?

A lot can be seen by examining the date ranges from the group's observations. Since there is no good documentation from the Bell System, observations of many sets was determined to be the best way to determine component changes and dates. Results to date are reported here:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=11422.msg132909#msg132909 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=11422.msg132909#msg132909)

That effort was a follow-on to an earlier summary chart, as Russ mentioned. The direct link is:

http://www.paul-f.com/we500typ.htm#Evolution (http://www.paul-f.com/we500typ.htm#Evolution)

Title: Re: What was the evolution of the WE 500?
Post by: Dan/Panther on February 12, 2019, 12:58:37 PM

Quote from: Doug Rose on February 11, 2019, 01:01:50 PM
It was an amazing achievement Dan. One I doubt will ever be duplicated....you should be proud....Doug

Beyond my wildest dreams..
I so wanted a 49-500 but the truth be known, I do not think I would trade this phone for a 49-500.

Dan

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Telephone Talk => General Discussion => Topic started by: Telephones_etc on February 10, 2019, 03:19:33 PM